# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=515 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 516 --- ## [What's the best way to fill vacancies in the Senate, or any other elected post?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-fill-vacancies-in-the-senate-or-any-other-elected-post/507942)
**Author:** [@the\_first\_supraliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_first_supraliminal)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-way-to-fill-vacancies-in-the-senate-or-any-other-elected-post/507942 "2009-08-28T21:08:04Z")
Kennedy asked that someone be appointed to replace him, since Mass. shouldn’t be short its quota of representatives. Seems fair. And a bit back they removed the possibility for Mitt Romney to fill a Democratic vacancy, … --- ## [Can Atheists Be Parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-atheists-be-parents/507567)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-atheists-be-parents/507567 "2009-08-28T18:01:41Z")
This almost made my head assplode on so many levels. Do even religious nutjobs agree with this? And how does a man advance so far in a field that is (supposedly) based on rationality and justice and being able of such … --- ## [Explain this Atheist logic to me.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-atheist-logic-to-me/507589)
**Author:** [@TNWPsycho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TNWPsycho)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-this-atheist-logic-to-me/507589 "2009-08-28T16:18:41Z")
I give equal consideration to the debate on whether there is a God or not, so help me better explain this logic i heard an atheist say the other day. “If there was a God, He would leave more of an impression, something … --- ## [How does Christian killing of witches stack up against Islamic honor killings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-christian-killing-of-witches-stack-up-against-islamic-honor-killings/507676)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-christian-killing-of-witches-stack-up-against-islamic-honor-killings/507676 "2009-08-28T15:48:55Z")
In the thread that is now closed about Rifqa Bary who fled to a Christian organization in Florida from her home in Ohio people compared honor killings to being stoned by Christians. Here is post 20 from that thread, … --- ## [And Then There Were None (WARNING: Spoilers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-none-warning-spoilers/507644)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2009, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-none-warning-spoilers/507644 "2009-08-28T03:18:33Z")
If you haven’t read the novel And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie but wish to in the future stop reading beyond this point. If like Judge Lawrence Wargrave you collected information on various people who had tak… --- ## [Let's have a Dopey Constitutional Convention](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-dopey-constitutional-convention/506637)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-dopey-constitutional-convention/506637 "2009-08-28T01:15:26Z")
Since it is clear that Congress has illegally refused to hold a Constitution Convention, I say we hold it here on the Straight Dope. As the Chair (since I started the thread) the ground rules are that you are allowed … --- ## [Are We the Same Person from Moment to Moment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-the-same-person-from-moment-to-moment/507821)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-the-same-person-from-moment-to-moment/507821 "2009-08-27T23:25:51Z")
The inspiration for this question came from a very old memory of mine. I hardly remember much before the age of 5. But I do have a few fragments of memory from this time. One particular memory is when I am about 2 or 3. … --- ## [Does private health insurance really give you options?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-private-health-insurance-really-give-you-options/507811)
**Author:** [@Brainiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-private-health-insurance-really-give-you-options/507811 "2009-08-27T22:15:45Z")
The claim is that it’s an open market, but for most working stiffs their company has the choice of carriers and they only get a very narrow choice of that company’s plans, perhaps the deductible. Here’s a NY Times analy… --- ## [Is it evil or clever for states to undermine their enemy's money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-evil-or-clever-for-states-to-undermine-their-enemys-money/507422)
**Author:** [@Never\_Say\_Dice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Never_Say_Dice)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-evil-or-clever-for-states-to-undermine-their-enemys-money/507422 "2009-08-27T18:29:11Z")
During WWII, of course, all the fighters were madly counterfeiting each other’s money and postage. And we assume that North Korea and perhaps China do this today, and perhaps one day western governments will own up to co… --- ## [Can an organ donor place restrictions on who receives his organs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-organ-donor-place-restrictions-on-who-receives-his-organs/507083)
**Author:** [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-organ-donor-place-restrictions-on-who-receives-his-organs/507083 "2009-08-27T17:46:58Z")
Didn’t want to hijack the prison healthcare thread that just opened, but this jumped out at me: I’m an organ donor, but I don’t want my organs to go to a prison inmate. Thinking about it, I’d like to leave some guidel… --- ## [The Case Against Wikipedia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-against-wikipedia/506930)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-against-wikipedia/506930 "2009-08-27T17:21:25Z")
Let me begin by addressing one common statement. In any debate about Wikipedia, a defender says that anyone who doesn’t like what’s on the site should log on and change it. That’s kind of like saying that anyone who do… --- ## [Pres. Chavez's War on Golf?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-chavezs-war-on-golf/506240)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pres-chavezs-war-on-golf/506240 "2009-08-27T15:54:02Z")
I saw in an AP news report that President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has called golf a “bourgeois” sport. Is this the end of golf in Venezuela? Will minature golf have to go underground? Does he have the power to abolis… --- ## [Would a Ross Perot-type third party be more or less likely now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-ross-perot-type-third-party-be-more-or-less-likely-now/507423)
**Author:** [@Never\_Say\_Dice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Never_Say_Dice)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-ross-perot-type-third-party-be-more-or-less-likely-now/507423 "2009-08-27T03:58:44Z")
I have a feeling that in “deadlocked legislature” states, a third party could get traction just out of frustration. The motto would be the standard third party call to “Throw the bums out” with no specific platform. --- ## [What's wrong with "teaching to the test"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-teaching-to-the-test/506994)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-teaching-to-the-test/506994 "2009-08-27T02:34:02Z")
I have often heard complaints that teachers are saddled with so many requirements w.r.t. students having to pass various standardized tests, that teachers can’t “really teach” anymore and have to “teach to the test” or (… --- ## [Do conspiracy theorists like "birthers" damage the brand of their party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-conspiracy-theorists-like-birthers-damage-the-brand-of-their-party/505004)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-conspiracy-theorists-like-birthers-damage-the-brand-of-their-party/505004 "2009-08-27T00:54:24Z")
There are a lot of conspiracy theorists out there. Many of them can’t really be tied to a single party. Moon landing deniers, Kennedy conspiracists, e.g. Others are, fairly or unfairly, tied more to one party or anoth… --- ## [Competition in auto liability insurance vs. health insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/competition-in-auto-liability-insurance-vs-health-insurance/507813)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/competition-in-auto-liability-insurance-vs-health-insurance/507813 "2009-08-26T23:03:28Z")
I was on a virtual town hall call with Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) the other day about the health care issue the other day, and he said (I think) that one of the provisions of the bill (or at least one version) would create … --- ## [How would NASA have handled two moons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-nasa-have-handled-two-moons/507511)
**Author:** [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-nasa-have-handled-two-moons/507511 "2009-08-26T21:09:22Z")
It’s not a burning issue, but while watching a show on TV the other night, it occurred to me that the earth is a bit unique in that it has only one moon. Say that we had two moons. How would NASA have handled the moon … --- ## [What is cognitive dissonance? (neurologically)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-cognitive-dissonance-neurologically/507691)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2009, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-cognitive-dissonance-neurologically/507691 "2009-08-26T20:36:16Z")
Do you think that cognitive dissonance is possibly actually cross talk among neurons? Like those times where someone seems so close to the real truth that it seems like they are being intentionally disingenuous rather t… --- ## [Top Secret American Destupization Project](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-secret-american-destupization-project/507272)
**Author:** [@wierdaaron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wierdaaron)\ **Replies:** 198\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/top-secret-american-destupization-project/507272 "2009-08-26T16:55:45Z")
Hypothetical: You’re called in to a secret meeting at the White House. An unmarked black sedan shows up at your home, drives you to the east wing. You enter, pass some security gates, and then are taken into an elevator… --- ## [Replacing food stamps with real food for poor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-food-stamps-with-real-food-for-poor/506742)
**Author:** [@bri1600bv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bri1600bv)\ **Replies:** 254\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2009, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-food-stamps-with-real-food-for-poor/506742 "2009-08-26T03:42:22Z")
I mentioned in a couple threads how I thought a good idea would be to replace the food stamp program with actual food. The gov’t could contract to make a nutritious foodstuff or foodstuffs and give it out to supermarket… --- ## [How would lack of patents affect innovation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-lack-of-patents-affect-innovation/507199)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-lack-of-patents-affect-innovation/507199 "2009-08-26T01:42:02Z")
There are a lot of people that say patents stifle innovation and halt progress. I am not one of these people, because it seems like if patents did not exist, companies would not pour as nearly as much money into research… --- ## [Do major sports really need government handouts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-major-sports-really-need-government-handouts/507332)
**Author:** [@the\_first\_supraliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_first_supraliminal)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-major-sports-really-need-government-handouts/507332 "2009-08-26T00:37:51Z")
The public buys them stadiums, and special zoning and freeway exits at public expense, which they threaten to leave idle unless they get more concessions or they will move to another town. Then they charge ever-increasin… --- ## [Lack of affirmative consent as rape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-affirmative-consent-as-rape/506884)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lack-of-affirmative-consent-as-rape/506884 "2009-08-25T20:35:34Z")
I’ve been thinking about this a bunch lately. I’m not sure how common this scenario is, but basically when someone goes along with sex when they are too afraid to say no. Not in a scenario where a gun or a knife is emplo… --- ## [So are this kid's parents going to kill her, or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-this-kids-parents-going-to-kill-her-or-what/507636)
**Author:** [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-this-kids-parents-going-to-kill-her-or-what/507636 "2009-08-25T19:26:55Z")
Two things: 1) I’m not sure where to put this. I actually want an answer to this question, but I can smell a debate in the air. 2) Sorry if this has been brought up, but I couldn’t find it through a search, and am not go… --- ## [Of Woo and Scientism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-woo-and-scientism/507572)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-woo-and-scientism/507572 "2009-08-25T19:16:54Z")
RedFury asked me to stop posting in his thread so I will and I’ll bring the tangents here. I’d like to take the time to respond to some people in that thread. Thanks. :wink: Yes, I think that there is truth to this… --- ## [2008 Democratic Convention in July: Does McCain still pick Palin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-democratic-convention-in-july-does-mccain-still-pick-palin/507595)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2008-democratic-convention-in-july-does-mccain-still-pick-palin/507595 "2009-08-25T18:55:41Z")
In 2004, the Democratic convention nominated John Kerry right before the 2004 Athens Olympics. Kerry does his, “I’m John Kerry and I’m reporting for duty” speech and spends the next 3 weeks being swiftboated. He loses th… --- ## [Liberals and cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-and-cars/506451)
**Author:** [@shallora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shallora)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-and-cars/506451 "2009-08-25T16:28:54Z")
My friends and I have debated this one for years with little progress as to the answer: Are anti-automobile Liberals (those who hate cars) that way because … a) they despise the single-occupancy nature of the vehicles,… --- ## [Is Cash For Clunkers indicative of UHC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cash-for-clunkers-indicative-of-uhc/505285)
**Author:** [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cash-for-clunkers-indicative-of-uhc/505285 "2009-08-25T12:28:39Z")
Is the implementation of the Cash for Clunkers program indicative of how UHC might be handled in the US? I don’t think anybody would disagree that C4C has been wildly popular. But on the other hand, I think it’s hard t… --- ## [Why so serious? \[Is poster depicting Obama as the Joker from Batman racist?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-serious-is-poster-depicting-obama-as-the-joker-from-batman-racist/505714)
**Author:** [@ajb867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ajb867)\ **Replies:** 249\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-serious-is-poster-depicting-obama-as-the-joker-from-batman-racist/505714 "2009-08-25T10:42:54Z")
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/5973064/Barack-Obama-Joker-socialism-poster-denounced-as-racist.html Racist… what??? :confused: --- ## [endogeneity problem vs. mediating variable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endogeneity-problem-vs-mediating-variable/507512)
**Author:** [@drhess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drhess)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/endogeneity-problem-vs-mediating-variable/507512 "2009-08-25T04:25:31Z")
Is there a difference between stating that in a statistical model one variable mediates the impact of another variable (perhaps not completely) on the outcome vs. stating that there is an “endogeneity problem” in the mod… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=514) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=516)